The winner of today's "Too Little, Too Late" contest goes to the workers at Novartis' Nyon-Prangins site in western Switzerland. Upset by the announcement that Novartis would be closing the plant and firing more than 300 people, the plant workers went on a one-day strike, shutting down all operations at the site where consumer products OTC manufacturing and R&D are based. Even some of the scientists got involved. These job cuts are part of 2,000 announced worldwide layoffs, half of which will be in Switzerland.
You have to give them credit for trying. In fact, there is some chance it might even work. According to an interview on World Radio Switzerland, groups of efficiency experts as well as government representatives have been formed in order to explore options to keep the plant open.
The results so far are mixed. A gathering of 2,000 people, including local unions made enough noise that they at least got a response from management. Unfortunately, it was written in manager-ese, replete with beloved phrases such as "committed to the consultation process" and "[the strike was] complicating the dialogue." And, although demands to meet with CEO Joe Jimenez have not yet been fruitful, he has promised to meet with the employees to discuss whether the plant can be made "financially viable."
So, the hit parade continues across the industry, but at least this time someone put up a fight.
Unfortunately, they are probably fighting the tide. Part of the Novartis announcement was the plan to hire 700 new employees in "emerging markets." Wonder where that might be.
It is rather satisfying to see a bump in the road on the pharmaceutical expressway to China, however small it may be. Maybe some drug makers will some day at least consider outsourcing to a different foreign country. How about Brooklyn?
